Andros Townsend scored against his old club and Luton Town claimed an emotional 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday at Kenilworth Road in the first game since Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch.
Lockyer is resting at home after a terrifying moment caused the abandonment of Luton’s last game at Bournemouth, and Townsend held up the captain’s jersey following a first-half goal.
WATCH LUTON TOWN vs NEWCASTLE FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Newcastle is sputtering, losers of three-in-four Premier League matches and bounced out of the UEFA Champions League and League Cup during the same run.
The Magpies were poor again and finish the day in seventh place with 29 points, seven points off fourth-place Spurs.
Luton pulls into 18th place with 12 points, three back of 17th with a match-in-hand.
Hatters nab emotional win over haggard Magpies
Luton ran its proverbial shorts off, buoyed by a home crowd that joined the players in hope of a win for their ailing captain.
The Hatters could’ve easily scored multiple goals, and Newcastle helped the bottom three hosts by barely getting off the bus.
The Magpies front three of Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson, and Miguel Almiron were poor and barely aided by substitute Alexander Isak — who scored a reviewed offside goal.
Eddie Howe’s men look exhausted and dispirited after bowing out of multiple competitions, and the absences of Sandro Tonali and Joelinton are costing the Magpies’ midfield.
But Luton deserved its win and need to be praised for a win that has them dreaming of the safe spaces ahead of a huge trip to fellow strugglers Sheffield United.
What’s next?
Newcastle hosts Nottingham Forest at 7:30am ET Tuesday before going to Liverpool on New Year’s Day for a 3pm kickoff.
Luton’s off to Sheffield United at 10am ET on Boxing Day and then hosts Chelsea on Saturday, Dec. 30.
Luton Town vs Newcastle final score: 1-0
Goal: Lockyer (26')
Luton vs Newcastle player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Luton vs Newcastle player ratings (from fotmob.com)
fotmob.com
Luton vs Newcastle halftime: 1-0
It could easily be 2-0, as Ross Barkley hit a mesmerizing effort off the bar.
Newcastle looks flat after bowing out of the League Cup, and Eddie Howe’s made moves with Sven Botman and Alexander Isak entering for Jamaal Lascelles and Lewis Miley.
The Hatters are ready to run with the Magpies, and perhaps Howe didn’t expect that. Luton leads in xG and shot attempts, and has put four on target. Newcastle has possession but no edge yet.
Andros Townsend goal (video)
Pretty straightforward here.
Luton win the first and second ball off a set piece, with Andros Townsend nodding home at the back post to beat Martin Dubravka.
It’s Townsend’s 50th goal, and he celebrates by holding up a Tom Lockyer jersey. No one will blame him, even against one of his former clubs.
Nice moment.
How to watch Luton Town vs Newcastle, stream link, TV channel
Kickoff: 10am ET Saturday
Odds: Luton (+400) vs Newcastle (-160) | Draw (+310)
TV Channel: USA Network
Stream: Watch online via NBCSports.com
Luton lineup
Your Hatters to take on the Toon. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/aOTfcYVi2D
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) December 23, 2023
Newcastle lineup
HOWAY NEWCASTLE! 💪#LUTNEW // #NUFC pic.twitter.com/SdjeYxj0td
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 23, 2023
Focus on Luton Town, team news
OUT: Tom Lockyer (heart), Reece Burke (thigh), Dan Potts (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Cauley Woodrow (calf)
Focus on Newcastle, team news
OUT: Sandro Tonali (suspension), Nick Pope (shoulder), Harvey Barnes (foot), Matt Targett (thigh), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back), Javi Manquillo (groin), Joe Willock (achilles) | QUESTIONABLE: Alexander Isak (groin), Joelinton (thigh), Anthony Gordon (calf), Fabian Schar (buttock), Emil Krafth (shin)
